Taking it personally

Kidd's pride helped Nets even their first-round series

For Jason Kidd, this one was personal.

His near triple-double (20 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists) against the Pacers in Monday’s Game 2 did more than possibly save the season for the Nets. It saved him from a swarm of criticism that surely would have come his way had top-seeded New Jersey fallen behind 0-2 to Indiana.

MVPs might be forgiven for coming up short in the Finals, but not for getting swept in the first round.

Just how much Kidd wanted this victory was made clear during a telling sequence late in the second quarter. First, he hounded Pacers rookie Jamaal Tinsley into an eight-second violation.

Then he took Tinsley down into the post and immediately drew a foul on the brash rookie, sending him crashing to the floor in the process. Tinsley popped up on his feet and momentarily looked as if he were going to make a move at his veteran counterpart.

For a split second, NBA fans got a brief flash of that famous Kidd temper that always seems to bubble below his surface. This time, though, the likely MVP kept it in check. Kidd just glared at Tinsley, mouthed some words and stalked to the foul line.

The Nets clearly fed off Kidd’s emotion. Showing much more aggressiveness than it did in a passive Game 1 effort, New Jersey raided passing lanes, hit the boards for second-chance points and found a way to get some much-needed offense in the half court.

Reserve forward Aaron Williams proved especially valuable in that area, providing a low-post presence and a big body to clean up some of those easy scoring opportunities inside.

Williams, in fact, could be a key to the Nets’ hopes the remainder of the series. New Jersey sorely needs somebody who can convert down low when the game gets into a half-court scrum. Todd MacCulloch, perhaps still bothered by his sore foot, just hasn’t been able to get it done in the first two games.

Indiana, meanwhile, can take comfort in the fact that it got the victory it needed, and now gets to head home to raucous Conseco Fieldhouse for the next two games. There, Jermaine O’Neal is not likely to get called twice in a row for setting a moving screen. There, Reggie Miller alone is usually good for one playoff victory.

No, the Nets aren’t clear of danger yet. But they are back in the series. And, for a few days at least, Kidd can breathe a sigh of relief.

Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.

 

Related information
Stories
Nets pound Pacers to even series 1-1 Stern thinks Nets may end up in Newark SI's Burns: Learning on the job SI's Burns: Weekend update Marty Burns' Eastern Conference breakdowns
Multimedia
Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.